Birdhouse for Autism

What's the big idea?

Birdhouse is a web and mobile based care management platform for families raising children with Autism. Birdhouse allows parents and caregivers to record their child’s daily behavior in a searchable journal, store important information on medications and supplements the child is taking, and keep track of therapies the child is participating in. Ultimately, Birdhouse is striving to deliver predictive behavioral analytics to the parent to better inform care, enable families to collaborate with therapists and educators, and work with researchers worldwide to better understand Autism disorders.

Describe the nearest player in your field.

The spiral-bound notebook is our most formidable competition, as most parents rely on pen & paper to both track their child’s progress and coordinate it with their support team. Tech-wise, the nearest player is MyAutismTeam, a social network for parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

How are you different from that player?

Providing a digital alternative to notebooks removes the possibility of misplacing important information & recording the right data in the right way. And by providing more than just a social network, Birdhouse offers parents greater support with actionable insights & contributes to world knowledge.

Why are you the one to run with this idea?

My partner & I raise an 8yr old with Autism & understand the extent to which proper care must be coordinated- we live what we’re working to solve. We’re well connected in the special needs world, hold leadership positions in local disability orgs, and have launched successful ventures in the past.

What is a $5,000 experiment you can do to move your idea forward?

$5k will allow us to kick off our partnership programs by designing and printing marketing collateral (brochures, rack cards) to provide to our partners (clinics, service providers) & bring full functionality to our iPhone app to enable parents to use all of Birdhouse’s features on the go.

There have been 12 replies to this page

David Landau

on May 16, 2013

Ben Chutz is an incredible force for good in the world. Helping families with special needs is a cause he’s devoted to and sincere about in a very real way, and his integrity shines through in every act and conversation. I’ve had the pleasure of working with Ben many times and love the impressive bar of success he sets for himself and other people. Change lives and rock on, Birdhouse!

Amanda Lewan

on May 16, 2013

Great company! And very much a need for families caring for a loved one with autism.

Ben Chutz

on May 16, 2013

Owner

Thank you both!

Michael Carnow

on May 16, 2013

Birdhouse is a big idea that helps with the biggest of concerns - those we love. It does so with a series of keen insights into the needs of customers. The company knows its market, has the capacity to enact change, and is going to make the world a better, more caring place.

Amore Stasilli

on May 17, 2013

What a fantastic idea and business concept!! You two are a great team and I wish you much success in this endeavor!!!

Heather Amy Price

on May 17, 2013

I have 6 year old autistic twins. My head spins with the med changes, doc appts,.... remembering when we saw which doctors, when we started each med, when mood changes coincided with med changes, etc etc etc…... This is super helpful and I know other parents feel the same way! Good luck!

Maggie Glaser Egrin

on May 17, 2013

can we vote more than once?

Ben Chutz

on May 17, 2013

Owner

Thanks everyone! Sorry Maggie, only once :(

Alan Mond

on May 18, 2013

Endorsed! Great idea, love the website.

Brian Titus

on May 20, 2013

A fantastic idea that is perfect for parents who struggle with “the paperwork” and the data associated with caring for a child with autism. Deserves $5,000 and beyond.

Joshua Ward

on May 20, 2013

Endorsed! will it be available on BlackBerry 10?

Ben Chutz

on May 21, 2013

Owner

Thanks for endorsing and all the great comments! Joshua, someday ;) iPhone and Android for the foreseeable future, but you can always use the web version from mobile.